History Crash Course #42: Rise of Islam

Mohammed reacted with anger when Jews refused to recognize him as the last of the prophets.

In the previous chapter, we discussed at length the Jewish impact on intellectual Rome prior to the advent of Christianity. Similarly, Jews living on the Arabian Peninsula impacted positively on their Arab neighbors.

During the days of Jewish clashes with the Roman Empire, Jews fled to areas outside the control of Rome and founded many towns and villages in Arabia. One very famous town, almost certainly founded by Jews, was Yathrib. Today Yathrib is better known as Medina and is considered Islam's second holiest city (after Mecca).

As in Rome, the local Jews attracted significant numbers of converts to their way of life and many more admirers.

M. Hirsch Goldberg, in the Jewish Connection (p. 33), sums up the story before the early 600's:

In Arabia, whole tribes converted to Judaism, including two kinds of the Himyarites. French Bible critic Ernest Renan remarked that 'only a hair's breadth prevented all Arabia from becoming Jewish.'

One of those impressed by the Jews' uncompromising devotion to monotheism was a young trader named Mohammed ibn Abdallah.

In the early stages, Mohammed was greatly impressed by the Jews.

Although his travels had exposed him to Christianity and he was clearly influenced by it, he found aspects of it troublesome ― in particular, the doctrine of the Trinity did not seem strictly monotheistic in his eyes. He is recorded as having said:

Unbelievers are those that say, 'Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary' ... Unbelievers are those that say, 'Allah is one of three.' There is but one God. If they do not desist from so saying, those of them that disbelieve shall be sternly punished. (Koran, Sura 5:71-73)

However, there is no doubt that in the early stages of his spiritual awakening, Mohammed came to be greatly impressed by the Jews. Writes S.D. Goiten in Jews and Arabs (pp. 58-59):

"The intrinsic values of the belief in one God, the creator of the world, the God of justice and mercy, before whom everyone high and low bears personal responsibility, came to Muhammad ― as he never ceased to emphasize ― from Israel."

He clearly had some knowledge of the Torah as later he would quote Moses (though usually not accurately) more than one hundred times in the Koran, the record of his teachings which became the holy book of his newfound religion. Of the 25 prophets listed in the Koran, 19 are from Jewish scripture, and many ritual laws, as well as civil laws, of Islam parallel Judaism ― circumcision and prohibition against eating pork, for example.

Children of Ishmael

Mohammed believed the ancient tradition that the Arabs were the other children of Abraham ― through the line of his son Ishmael by the Egyptian maidservant Hagar ― and that they had forgotten the teachings of monotheism they had inherited ages ago. He saw his mission as bringing them back. Paul Johnson, in his History of the Jews (p. 167), explains:

What he [Mohammed] seems to have wished to do was to destroy the polytheistic paganism of the oasis culture by giving the Arabs Jewish ethical monotheism in a language they could understand and in terms adapted to their ways. He accepted the Jewish God and their prophets, the idea of fixed law embodied in scripture ― the Koran being an Arabic substitute for the Bible ― and the addition of an Oral Law applied in religious courts.

There is no argument that the Arab world into which Mohammed was born was badly in need of moral values and social reform. The Mecca of his day was a central place of pagan worship. The Arab tribesmen of the region worshipped a pantheon of gods there, including Al-Lat, the sun goddess, and Al-Uzza, a goddess associated with the planet Venus, both of whom were daughters of the chief deity, known as Al-Ilah, (Allah) or "the God."

The Kaaba shrine encloses the famous black meteorite, a former site of pagan worship.

The Kaaba, the shrine enclosing the famous black meteorite which was worshipped in Mecca before Mohammed's time, was also a site for an altar where blood sacrifices were offered to these and other gods.

The morality of the neighboring tribesmen could, charitably, be described as chaotic. Huston Smith, in his classic The Religions of Man, (p. 219) goes so far as to call the Arab society before the advent of Mohammed "barbaric." Tribal loyalties were paramount; other than that, nothing served to mitigate the blood feuds, drunken brawls and orgies that the harsh life of the desert gave sway to.

Mohammed's Vision

Mohammed was repelled by the cruel and crude reality around him. In the year 610, at the age of 40, he escaped to a desert cave where, according to Muslim tradition, he experienced a series of mystical visions, including revelations from the Angel Gabriel. He returned from the desert imbued with a spiritual mission to transform the pagan society around him.

Preaching an end to licentiousness and need for peace, justice and social responsibility, Muhammad advocated improving the lot of slaves, orphans, women and the poor, and replacing tribal loyalties with the fellowship of a new monotheistic faith ― which he called Islam, meaning "surrender to God." (One who submits is a Muslim.)

Islam, according to Mohammed, was built on five pillars:

Faith in one God ("there is no God but Allah")

Prayer (five times a day)

Charity (2.5% of one's income)

Pilgrimage to Mecca called Haj (once in a lifetime)

Fasting (a fast lasting from dawn to dusk for 30 days during the month of Ramadan)

Another fundamental principle of Islam is Jihad. ( While most people think the term Jihad means holy war the actual meaning of Jihad is "struggle" and can be used to refer to both the internal struggle between good and evil that occurs with in all of us as well as external struggle between the world of the Muslim (dhar al Islam) and the world of the non-Muslim called the World of War (dhar al Hare). The earliest use of the term Jihad as mentioned in 7th century Islamic law codes (sharia) refers to external struggle against the non-Islamic world.) (1)

Initially, he attracted very few followers. After three years, Mohammed had barely forty converts. But, imbued with a passion that has been the hallmark of the truly great visionaries of the world, Mohammed would not give up. And, little by little, he built a steady following of committed loyalists.

The more followers he attracted, the more attention, and with it, the more hostility. The merchants of Mecca, whose livelihood depended on the pagan sites and rites of the city, weren't going to be easily displaced. A murder plot was hatched, but Mohammed escaped just in the nick of time.

While persecution of the Muslims was mounting in Mecca, the city of Yithrab was experiencing problems of internal strife and a delegation decided that the fiery preacher from Mecca would be the man to bring order to chaos. After winning the pledge of city representatives to worship only Allah, Mohammed agreed to migrate. His journey to Yithrab in the year 622 CE, the year 1 of the Islamic calendar, was immortalized as the Hegira.

Thus his life was saved and a new horizon opened for his teachings. It was in Yithrab ― heretofore to be known as Medina, "the city of the prophet" ― that Islam took hold in a major way.

Once he had made Medina his stronghold, Mohammed mobilized an army of 10,000 men and, in 630 CE, moved against Mecca, meaning to purify the Kaaba and turn it into a center of worship of the one God, Allah.

His success is legendary. Two years later, when he died all of Arabia was under Muslim control.

Mohammed and the Jews

The one problem Mohammed had faced in Medina ― and elsewhere ― were the Jews, who were not prepared to accept his Arab version of Judaism. In the same way they had previously rejected Christianity, so too did they reject Islam.

It must be pointed out, however, that Jews had a lot less problems with Islam than they did with Christianity. Islam was purely monotheistic, whereas Christianity incorporated a lot of pagan mythology into itself. Islam did not claim that Mohammad was "god" or "son of God" or that God came in three parts. Islam followed many Jewish laws and customs, unlike Christianity which disavowed the law of the Torah in favor of faith in Jesus.

Agreement was that Abraham was the father of both Jews and Arabs.

The most important agreement was that Abraham was the father of both the Jews (through his son Isaac) and the Arabs (through his son Ishmael). This made the two peoples half-brothers. But the chief disagreement came on the issue whether Mohammed was indeed the last of the prophets to be sent by God and that his word was the final revelation. The Jews found the idea unthinkable since prophecy had end long before and the words of the Torah could never be superseded.

Their rejection was painful to Mohammed who reacted with hostility toward the Jews and took great pains to pointedly separate Islam from its Jewish roots. The holiest day of the week was changed to Friday; direction of prayers was changed from Jerusalem to Mecca; most of the Jewish dietary laws were excised from Islam with the exception of the slaughter rituals, prohibition on pork and consumption of blood.

Further, Mohammad maintained that the Jews had distorted their own Bible: Abraham did not attempt to sacrifice Isaac to God at Mount Moriah, one of the hills of Jerusalem; rather, Abraham took Ishmael to Mecca, where he offered to sacrifice him to Allah on the Black Stone of Kaaba.

If Jews had previously rebuffed Mohammed's claims to prophecy, they now openly sneered at what they considered a complete fabrication. This only made things worse. Mohammed's anger and curses against the Jews are recorded in the Koran:

"And humiliation and wretchedness were stamped upon them, and they were visited with wrath from God." (Sura 2:61)

"Of all men you will certainly find the Jews ... to be the most intense in hatred of those who believe." (Sura 5:85)

"Vendors are they of error and are desirous that you go astray from the way ... But God has cursed them for their unbelief." (Sura 4:48-49)

Mohammed's anger toward the Jews was not just rhetoric. The period from 622 C.E. until Mohammed's death in 632 C.E. was punctuated by periods of intense anti-Jewish violence as he systematically expelled, plundered and even slaughtered the Jewish tribes of Nadir, Khaybar and Banu Qurayza who lived in and around Mecca. Mohammed's victories of the Jews are discussed in great length in Sura 59 of the Koran.

After Mohammed's death some of his followers would interpret such statements as license to purge the world of the Jews. Other Muslims would concentrate more on the commonality of heritage and belief that Mohammed had also emphasized, and they would treat the Jews a bit better . (We will see how in future chapters of this series.)

JIHAD

At the time of Mohammed's death in 632, Arabia was united and poised for jihad, the "holy war" or "holy struggle" to bring the world to Allah. Shortly, it moved with a fearsome power against the Byzantine and Persian empires.

What did that mean for the Jews?

Answers Rabbi Berel Wein in Echoes of Glory (p. 299):

Most Jewish historians (until the recent revisionist-historians) are convinced that the Byzantine Church would have attempted to eradicated Judaism totally if the Church itself had not been defeated and its plan for hegemony in Asia Minor and the Mediterranean basin thwarted by the rising tide of Islam. Thus the coming of Islam may be seen as a providential occurrence that allowed the Jews to slip between the cracks Islam made in Byzantine Church persecution. However, as is the case in all historic 'gifts' in Jewish history, the rise of Islam would prove to be only a mixed blessing for Israel.

Jews were classified as ahl al-dhimma, "protected people," and were allowed to live in Islamic countries without being forced to convert. But a whole code of law applied to them, most of it designed to set them apart, humiliate and emphasize their inferior status.

For example, a Jew could never have his head higher than a Muslim. So if a Jew was walking along, and a Muslim passed by, the Jew had to step into the gutter in deference to the Muslim's superior status. A Jew could never testify against a Muslim in court (which basically meant there was no justice for Jews). A Jew could not have a house of worship that was higher than a mosque, which is why (for example) the Four Sephardic Synagogues in the Old City of Jerusalem are subterranean. It should be noted that throughout history some of these laws were not uniformly enforced, and there were periods of time when Jews living in Muslim countries were openly persecuted and others when they were treated very well.

Next we are going to look at one important Jewish community, which at least for a time, flourished under Muslim domination.

1. For a good explanation of the concept of Jihad see: Bernard Lewis, The Middle East-A Brief History of the Last 2,000 Years.(New York, 1995), 233-8.

Related Articles:

About the Author

Rabbi Ken Spiro, originally from New Rochelle, NY, graduated from Vassar College with a BA in Russian Language and Literature and did graduate studies at the Pushkin Institute in Moscow. He has rabbinic ordination from Aish Jerusalem and a Masters Degree in History from Vermont College of Norwich University. Rabbi Spiro is also a licensed tour guide by the Israel Ministry of Tourism. He has appeared on numerous radio and TV programs such as BBC, National Geographic Channel and The History Channel. He lives near Jerusalem with his wife and five children, where he works as a senior lecturer for Aish Jerusalem.

In one volume, Crash Course in Jewish History explores the 4,000 years of Jewish existence while answering the great questions: Why have the Jewish people been so unique, so impactful, yet so hated and so relentlessly persecuted?

Crash Course in Jewish History is not only comprehensive and readable, it is also entertaining and enlightening. Novices and scholars alike will find Crash Course in Jewish History to be thought-provoking and insightful, as well as a valuable and relevant guide to understanding the challenges we all face in the 21st century.

Visitor Comments: 44

(44)
Isaac Haskiya,
May 23, 2013 3:48 PM

I am a Jew. I will never accept Christianity or Islam as being superior.

That is to say the least.

Judaism contains a massive quantity of laws that still directly or indirectly govern the whole world. It would be very useful for every Christian or Muslim to study Judaism with an open mind in order to understand what gave what. (I have studied all three Abrahamic religions) Only then can a Christian say that he prefers Jesus´ teachings fully knowing that the man preached purely according to Talmud. As to Mohammed´s teachings, they too have their source in Judaism; saying that God has rejected the Jews is a very handy but untrue argument.

No human being is privy to the intentions of the Almighty, not even prophets. Specially in this case where we have a clear confirmation of what He has promised to His chosen people.

If we have lost our territory some 2000 years ago to the Romans, we lost it to an army vastly superior, in figures approximately 80.000 Roman soldiers against 23000 Jews, and still Bar Kochba had the prowess of striking back some time later. In comparison it took the Romans a lot less to conquer Gaul and Britain.

As long as my arms can handle an automatic carbine and my brain can compute a defense strategy I will never submit neither to Christianity, nor Islam.

You keep your peace and I´ll keep mine.

(43)
john,
October 20, 2010 10:30 PM

peace love and unity in the community

I seem to wonder the same thing when it comes to the sense lessness of religious separation and those who continue to perpetuate it's existence, with
their supposed notions of entering into an eternal bliss in the presence of the Almighty will be so in such a state of hearts filled with dark hatred. It baffles me.
I try everyday to cleanse myself of these ureges going out of my way to meet and greet as many outside my own circle is the spirit of oneness, and have passed many whom I think I have at least had the opportunity to make an impression on only God know's may You paece be great in the heavens"

(42)
Rene,
April 4, 2010 6:11 PM

too charitable

I find your version of the rise of Islam extremely charitable. and... therefore somewhat misleading.

(41)
Wassim,
May 25, 2009 7:52 AM

reply to #40

Mr Howe, here here for "humanity", however, we're not talking about humanity.
Christianity is significantly not monotheistic enough in a number of denominations. (ie. Orthodox trinity, Catholic father, son and holy spirit, and some Catholics make a big noise about Mary "maiden not virgin"). I've been to many different churches many times and it always felt like I was praying to a triangle! I tried to concentrate on the apex but I got distracted by the extras on the set.
You say "Is a christian not as imperfect as a maggot?". I say you're setting the bar a little too low. You're absolutely right, no belief will ever justify murder... but this article is about Jewish history around the time of Mohammad. Muslims aren't any less human, even those that "know not what they do". Humanity is full of imperfections... your post paints a picture full of suicide bombers who are only muslims! That's not a an accurate portrayal of your beloved humanity. How much humanity was in that bullet that conquered the new world (around 1000 years of civilisation after Mohammad!). Hypocrites, at least a true muslim thinks about God (not just what's in his xmas stocking! hohoho - what an offensive excuse for a religion - created by the ROMAN EMPIRE for political reasons - Jesus had nothing to do with its diversion away from Judaism). I feel very comfortable in stating my opinion that Christianity is not even a divine religion, let alone monotheistic.

(40)
Eric Howe,
March 9, 2008 4:34 PM

Christianity is monotheistic not pagan

In these passages I've seen 2 misconceptions that have clearified every question within me as to why we war with islamic extremists. first, there is but one God. God is the creater,all that is real,from the most beautiful flower to the most painful of sorrows.God is love.God is forgiving.God is eternal and there is no way to completly describe that which is impossible to comprehend in our minds.Since the Exodus man has warred over one basic ideal.God is not an idea nor a solitary being.God is not Islamic,Jewish,Christian,Mormon,etc.God is that God is.Some have contrived notions and followed beliefs and whole congregations and whole peoples and civilizations have throughout history misconstrued and misinterpreted truth as to benefit from or understand or even evolve to a "higher" state of spiritual awarness.To justify murder by reason of human belief in which one is promised the kingdom of heaven for slaying another in the name of God is as pagan as sacrificial rituals to false gods and as ancient as sin itself.Humanity barrels toward extinction closer everyday simply because we turn from truth.We fear what we cannot comprehend.We're afraid the light of the truth may blind us.On rare occasions in our lives we will see and know real enlightenment by true unexplainable and indescribable wisdom from within;never influenced by ones society or denomination of which they've placed their honor,but rather an understanding by which one feels whats real.That calm,that serenity,that gift of hope,is aquired only by asking for it.In prayer it is found and in dreaming.Is a Catholic not as much human as a Jew?Or a Christian as imperfect as a maggot?Is not the Muslim as just in their belief as the frightend ignorance of youth? Those who kill with a hate toward another due to a belief will surely die in vain... Eric Jason Howe

(39)
didi din,
October 28, 2007 10:06 PM

didn't anybody know?

That Jews and Christians are called "ahl ul-kitab" not unbelievers in the Quran? Unbelievers are unbelievers no matter what their religions are.unbelief of "Kufr" is from "kafara" originally meant "to be ungrateful". Not all Jews and Christians are kuffar and not all Muslims submit themselves to God.

(38)
Rob Cohen,
September 25, 2007 7:12 PM

Quran has pro-Israel passages

I was once told by a Muslim friend in College that there are 2-3 passages that specifically mention that the Holy land belongs to the Jews. He said that most Muslim leaders interpret these statements differently, but the passages do say it's the Jews land.

(37)
Allan Alzona,
September 21, 2007 7:01 PM

I am not Jewish, however I find your features very interesting and has futher my respect and knowledge of the Jewish faith. Thank you.

(36)
Kip Gonzales,
September 19, 2007 2:49 PM

Yathrib was mainly a Jewish city

An interesting note: The former name of the city Medina (City of the Prophet) was Yathrib, which is Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses. The city was mostly Jewish when Muhammad arrived in 622, home of three Jewish tribes, the Banu Nadir, Badu Quraysh, and Banu Qainuka.

(35)
Anonymous,
September 19, 2007 9:32 AM

very instructive

This is the first time I am reading thehistory of Jewish people and Judaism onthe internet.Thank You.

(34)
Anonymous,
September 18, 2007 10:11 PM

Fascinating

This whole series has been fascinating. Wonder if he has or intends to turn it into a book.

(33)
howard yagerman,
September 18, 2007 2:19 PM

Mohammed and Luther

It is interesting that both Luther and Mohammed started out thinking that they could win the Jews over.They learned what Moses knew,we are a stiff necked people.

(32)
Catherine Manna,
September 17, 2007 11:32 AM

Thank you for the wonderful crash course in history

THats unbeleiveable! What one man, who started off with a Good intention, perhaps he did get initially a revelation from god, who knows, but the outcome was not good. The evil inclination that we all as humans have, took over. This can happen to anyone of us! Whatever it is pride perhaps. When there is no peace, there is no love, where there is no love there is no God! Its very sad to know the truth on this matter, through one man, a nation that came from the same father Abraham, and the fact that the Jews and Moslems are really half brothers, and that they can let one man come between them is sad! ITs just not wright. THis still continues and happens today, personal power, pride glory, and fame, have ruined the lives of many families and its the innocent children that suffer and pay, they have shed blood because of this.We are all conected one way or another, and we are all children of God, its us that we separate ourselves from him. The result is, no peace. One day we will all be following and loving one God, together in union. This is the messianic era we all should pray for. And no more war! Leaving everything in the hands of our God to take care of not us anylonger!Thank you for the wonderfull crash courses in history.

(31)
Menashe Kaltmann,
September 16, 2007 6:53 PM

Interesting Comment of Maimonides of Blessed Memory

Thank you again aish.com and Rabbi Spiro for this scholarly article.

It is very interesting to read the comments of the Saintly Maimonides R. Moshe Ben Maimon of Blessed Memory on Islam. Rambam said Islam is clearly a monotheistic religion. It is very interesting to read Maimonides letters To Ovadia The Ger and other letters on this subject.

(30)
Grace,
June 19, 2007 4:45 PM

Betrayal of spirit

We would all be better off if our egos did not get in the way of our good deeds. Even when the spirit is reaching for the heights, we get smashed down to earth by self centeredness. How wonderful it would be if we could try again to join families together in true brotherhood. One does not need to be recognized as being of high station if one is there already. A recognized name is not needed for the deeds we do. If we could recognize and reject the hiss of the snake, we would be so much better off.

(29)
eugene,
January 31, 2006 12:00 AM

Let us seek the truth . . .

Correction :
1. "kill the infidel" is not the media-bigotry-laced translaton, it is mentioned very clearly in the quran.
2. "No hate but love " - the holy prophet always give lesson of love and peace for everybody - the turth is just the opposite
Note - the above 2 statements are from muslim who did not read the quran in details,try read the quran & hadith from cover to cover, you'll be supprised. Or try this site to understand more - faithfreedom.org

(28)
Imran Anwar,
December 26, 2005 12:00 AM

Excellent perspective, some minor errors

Greetings. I enjoyed your piece very much. It was very well written, with better perspective than many Muslims could provide your audience. One important correction, though. To this day, Muslims are taught FIVE Pillars, as you mentioned. Jihad was not "added" as a sixth pillar. You describe it correctly, as struggle against evil, rather than the current media-bigotry-laced translation of "kill the infidels". Mind you, this whole propagation of violence as Jihad was brought about by George Bush & Reagan who paid and financed uneducated Afghans and Pakistanis to take up arms against the Russians not for freedom but in the name of Allah. Then George Bush Sr. walked away, leaving the then-Mujahideen (with IQs of 70 and literacy of 0.001%) to become the Taliban and eventually hosts to the world's terrorists. Thanks for the good writing.

Imran

(27)
vicki,
November 7, 2004 12:00 AM

Research for a paper

I am working on a paper for a civilization class this site was really informative and even gave me new things to search.

(26)
Anonymous,
November 4, 2004 12:00 AM

No hate but Love

I am a muslim. Unfortunately after the death of the Holy Prophit(PBUH), the ruler muslims, specially Banu Ummayad (Founder was Ameer Muaavia Bib Sufyan) and Bany Abbas used islam in a wrong way. Holy prophet (PBUH) always gave the lesson of love and peace for every body.

(25)
Raphael,
April 17, 2003 12:00 AM

youve taught me more in an afternoon than I could ever learn at school

thank you all so much for helping us lost ones find our way back

(24)
M.Ishaq Hashmi,
April 15, 2003 12:00 AM

LOVE ,PEACE ,TOLERANCE & RESPECT for every religion is required. Man came to earth before any religion please give due protocol to it. Differences could be reduced to creat peace in mother earth.

Communication style should be weighed. love & peace togather could reduce hattered could reduce differences. Please focus on it

(23)
Anonymous,
April 14, 2003 12:00 AM

Magnificent

Where were you when I was co- teaching a unit on THIS VERY SUBJECT?!! This is very lucid, scholarly, and engrossing. I am a history nut in addition to being an Orthodox Jew. I love this type of writing, and I have a particular interest in the relationship between Judaism and Islam. This and other pieces like it will allow me to be more reflective and thus able to plan better lessons.

Thank you, and I wish all at Aish a Chag Kasher V'Sameach. STAY SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!

Tzvi Micahnik

(22)
ronald e. stackler,
April 14, 2003 12:00 AM

I look forwardto reading your histories

This is the first I have heard of you and I anticipate reading your works.
Ron Stackler
Malibu, California

(21)
Raisy,
April 14, 2003 12:00 AM

meaning of "islam" and "koran"

It's interesting to note that both the word Islam and Koran or Quran as it is pronounced by Moslems stems from Hebrew. Islam or Muslem means the same thing as 'mushlam'from the root 'shalem' whole, fulfilled it seems to reflect the 'wholeness' or 'fulfillment' that comes from 'committing oneself fully' to the Moslem deity and Koran is from the root 'koreh' to read since the Koran was meant to be read and studies by all Moslems.

(20)
Bob Hensler,
April 14, 2003 12:00 AM

Very intersting & informative. I look ahead to others.

I came upon your site whilst surfing the web and find your articles to be extremely interesting and informative. I am learning new things, and I welcome that.

(19)
Kaustav Chakrabarti,
April 14, 2003 12:00 AM

Jews and islam during the time of Mohammed

The article is very concise. It describes a part of Jewish historical experience with the onset of islam. More such articles would be appreciated in future.

(18)
yossarian,
January 7, 2003 12:00 AM

The Rise Of Islam

Shalom

Firstly, I would like to point out that Jihad has never been added as a sixth pillar to Islam. The term does mean internal struggle between good and evil, and it's meaning has never changed. I think what you meant to write was that the term Jihad is often misquoted, misunderstood, and even used as a tool by muslims and non-muslims alike.

I cannot speak for Arabs, but i was taught that the father of MANKIND is Adam(pbuh), the first man.

Also, I have heard the story of Abraham being told many times, and the bit about taking his son to Mecca is new to me.

Please check these out as they are inaccurate. May I suggest asking a Muslim scholar face to face, or reading the Koran. The problem with using the internet (I am referring to the article about suicide bombers, and your question to that website) as a resource for Quranic or Biblical studies is that you cannot challenge certain issues. I for one believe that suicide is a sin whatever form it is used in.

Thank you, nice website

(17)
Dov Ben Rahmiel,
December 26, 2001 12:00 AM

WAS MOHAMMED REPELLED BY CRUELTY??

Was Mohammed repelled by the cruelty around him as R. Spiro stated, and as Houston Smith in Religions of Man, (p. 219), as quoted by R. Spiro, stated that Arab society before the advent of Mohammed was "barbaric."

The following is a small part of an article available from the Institute for the Secularization of Islamic Society at www.secularislam.org/call.htm
The article makes clear in no uncertain terms with copious quotes from the Qu'ran and the Hadiths how viciously cruel Mohammed really was, and that this cruelty has been passed down through the Qu'ran and the Hadiths to his followers i.e., those who claim to follow religion of peace known as Islam.

The Prophet himself set the example of unleashing violence by invading the Jewish settlements, breaking treaties he had signed with them and banishing some of them after confiscating their belongings, massacring others and taking their wives and children as slaves. He inspected the youngsters and massacred all those who had pubic hair along with the men. Those who were younger he kept as slaves. He distributed the women captured in his raids among his soldiers keeping the prettiest for himself (33:50). He made sexual advances on Safiyah, a Jewish girl on the same day he captured her town Kheibar and killed her father, her husband and many of her relatives. Reyhana was another Jewish girl of Bani Quriza whom he used as a sex slave after killing all her male relatives. In the last ten years of his life he accumulated two scores of wives, concubines and sex slaves including the 9 year old Ayesha. These are not stories but records from authentic Islamic history and the Hadiths.

(16)
Linchia Soen,
November 5, 2001 12:00 AM

Good work from Rabbi Spiro.

A very interesting article. I am living in Indonesia, and I am currently learning Judaism. Some correction, Rabbi, the jihad is not a part of the five pillars of Islam (Rukun Islam), and it is not essentially about fighting non-muslims. I think Judaism and Islam are the core components in bringing peace in the Middle East. I am looking forward to reading Rabbi Spiro's next articles. Thanks.

(15)
Larry Eisenberg,
September 16, 2001 12:00 AM

A great read!

Very interesting! Especially given the state of affairs since the reestablishement of Israel and the event of this week.

(14)
Bernice Grant,
September 4, 2001 12:00 AM

Jews and Arabs share same monolitic belief

These monolithic beliefs shaped and designed both religions which took on a different direction for its people. It is sad that these so called cousins are today killing each other.

(13)
,
September 2, 2001 12:00 AM

Very Informative

Excellent. I've enjoyed all of this series, and look forward to future lessons (I particularily hope that you can help me understand the Holocaust, at least better then I do now). The Crash Courses are an excellent mix of general and specific information.

(12)
Jim Beecham MD,
September 2, 2001 12:00 AM

Thanks

I really enjoy reading all of Rabbi Spiro's historical articles.I look forward to each new one. I am living (US Military) in Jakarta, Indonesia.

(11)
Deacon Moran McMahon,
August 28, 2001 12:00 AM

Excellent summary of The Rise of Islam

I found this lesson very interesting and informative. I sort of wish the lessons were longer so I could learn even more about the subject in question. I'm looking forward to the next lesson.

(10)
Anonymous,
August 28, 2001 12:00 AM

Thanks for the new information

I have been enjoying the information. I came in late but it is interesting how Christianity and Islam came into being. I have been wondering if they were related.

(9)
darrin oppenheim,
August 27, 2001 12:00 AM

I find this series to be extremely interesting and eductaional.

(8)
alan cutshall,
August 27, 2001 12:00 AM

EXCELLENT COVERAGE ON JEWISH HISTORY
I can't wait for the next lesson.
Keep up the good work.

(7)
Anonymous,
August 27, 2001 12:00 AM

A-1

A long time friend has been forwarding me these lessons. They are enlightening_and a pleasure to_read.

(6)
Monika Kaufmann,
August 27, 2001 12:00 AM

Great series!

An excellent summary of Jewish history. But this time you forgot to mention that Mohammed had the entire Jewish community of Jathrib killed, when they refused to convert to Islam

I just got married and have an important question: Can we eat rice on Passover? My wife grew up eating it, and I did not. Is this just a matter of family tradition?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

The Torah instructs a Jew not to eat (or even possess) chametz all seven days of Passover (Exodus 13:3). "Chametz" is defined as any of the five grains (wheat, spelt, barley, oats, and rye) that came into contact with water for more than 18 minutes. Chametz is a serious Torah prohibition, and for that reason we take extra protective measures on Passover to prevent any mistakes.

Hence the category of food called "kitniyot" (sometimes referred to generically as "legumes"). This includes rice, corn, soy beans, string beans, peas, lentils, peanuts, mustard, sesame seeds and poppy seeds. Even though kitniyot cannot technically become chametz, Ashkenazi Jews do not eat them on Passover. Why?

Products of kitniyot often appear like chametz products. For example, it can be hard to distinguish between rice flour (kitniyot) and wheat flour (chametz). Also, chametz grains may become inadvertently mixed together with kitniyot. Therefore, to prevent confusion, all kitniyot were prohibited.

In Jewish law, there is one important distinction between chametz and kitniyot. During Passover, it is forbidden to even have chametz in one's possession (hence the custom of "selling chametz"). Whereas it is permitted to own kitniyot during Passover and even to use it - not for eating - but for things like baby powder which contains cornstarch. Similarly, someone who is sick is allowed to take medicine containing kitniyot.

What about derivatives of kitniyot - e.g. corn oil, peanut oil, etc? This is a difference of opinion. Many will use kitniyot-based oils on Passover, while others are strict and only use olive or walnut oil.

Finally, there is one product called "quinoa" (pronounced "ken-wah" or "kin-o-ah") that is permitted on Passover even for Ashkenazim. Although it resembles a grain, it is technically a grass, and was never included in the prohibition against kitniyot. It is prepared like rice and has a very high protein content. (It's excellent in "cholent" stew!) In the United States and elsewhere, mainstream kosher supervision agencies certify it "Kosher for Passover" -- look for the label.

Interestingly, the Sefardi Jewish community does not have a prohibition against kitniyot. This creates the strange situation, for example, where one family could be eating rice on Passover - when their neighbors will not. So am I going to guess here that you are Ashkenazi and your wife is Sefardi. Am I right?

Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Moses ben Nachman (1194-1270), known as Nachmanides, and by the acronym of his name, Ramban. Born in Spain, he was a physician by trade, but was best-known for authoring brilliant commentaries on the Bible, Talmud, and philosophy. In 1263, King James of Spain authorized a disputation (religious debate) between Nachmanides and a Jewish convert to Christianity, Pablo Christiani. Nachmanides reluctantly agreed to take part, only after being assured by the king that he would have full freedom of expression. Nachmanides won the debate, which earned the king's respect and a prize of 300 gold coins. But this incensed the Church: Nachmanides was charged with blasphemy and he was forced to flee Spain. So at age 72, Nachmanides moved to Jerusalem. He was struck by the desolation in the Holy City -- there were so few Jews that he could not even find a minyan to pray. Nachmanides immediately set about rebuilding the Jewish community. The Ramban Synagogue stands today in Jerusalem's Old City, a living testimony to his efforts.

It's easy to be intimidated by mean people. See through their mask. Underneath is an insecure and unhappy person. They are alienated from others because they are alienated from themselves.

Have compassion for them. Not pity, not condemning, not fear, but compassion. Feel for their suffering. Identify with their core humanity. You might be able to influence them for the good. You might not. Either way your compassion frees you from their destructiveness. And if you would like to help them change, compassion gives you a chance to succeed.

It is the nature of a person to be influenced by his fellows and comrades (Rambam, Hil. De'os 6:1).

We can never escape the influence of our environment. Our life-style impacts upon us and, as if by osmosis, penetrates our skin and becomes part of us.

Our environment today is thoroughly computerized. Computer intelligence is no longer a science-fiction fantasy, but an everyday occurrence. Some computers can even carry out complete interviews. The computer asks questions, receives answers, interprets these answers, and uses its newly acquired information to ask new questions.

Still, while computers may be able to think, they cannot feel. The uniqueness of human beings is therefore no longer in their intellect, but in their emotions.

We must be extremely careful not to allow ourselves to become human computers that are devoid of feelings. Our culture is in danger of losing this essential aspect of humanity, remaining only with intellect. Because we communicate so much with unfeeling computers, we are in danger of becoming disconnected from our own feelings and oblivious to the feelings of others.

As we check in at our jobs, and the computer on our desk greets us with, "Good morning, Mr. Smith. Today is Wednesday, and here is the agenda for today," let us remember that this machine may indeed be brilliant, but it cannot laugh or cry. It cannot be happy if we succeed, or sad if we fail.

Today I shall...

try to remain a human being in every way - by keeping in touch with my own feelings and being sensitive to the feelings of others.

With stories and insights,
Rabbi Twerski's new book Twerski on Machzor makes Rosh Hashanah prayers more meaningful. Click here to order...